Development Assistant

Job Description

Company:

Double Dutch is a scripted label led by Tiger Aspect alumni Iona Vrolyk. Underpinned by the former’s reputation for developing and producing popular, original, returning series, the brand is focused on building an original pipeline of high-end, entertaining and character-led titles in collaboration with showrunner, Julie Gearey.

Double Dutch are part of Banijay UK which stands as the largest international content producer and distributor; home to over 120 production companies across 22 territories, and a multi-genre catalogue boasting over 88,000 hours of original standout programming.

A collective of creative entrepreneurs, the group represents some of the biggest global brands including Survivor, Big Brother, Peaky Blinders, Temptation Island, MasterChef, Wallander, The Kardashians, Mr Bean, The Wall, Hunted, Black Mirror, Extreme Makeover: Home Editionand Deal or No Deal among others. Imagining and delivering high-quality multi-genre IP that was born locally and travels globally, the business offers the best stories told the best way.

Built on independence, creative freedom, entrepreneurialism and commercial acumen, the company, launched in 2008, operates under the direction of Chief Executive Officer, Marco Bassetti.

About this role:

The Development Assistant will support the Managing Director (currently on Maternity Leave), Creative Director and Development Producer. This is the perfect role for someone who thrives on being organised and focused, with some administrative experience and a passion for Scripted TV.

There will be lots of diary management and general administration but also some specific development administration duties, giving you a real opportunity to get some insight into the creative process.

We are a small team so the ideal candidate will be a real team player with great interpersonal skills. It’s a creative environment, so it’s busy and not particularly corporate.

The focus of the role is largely administrative, and we want someone who is keen to be brilliant at this. In time, for the right candidate, there may scope to expand and contribute in some of the more creative aspects of the department.

Duties:

General Assistant Duties

• Manage diaries for the MD (currently on mat leave), CD and DP; organising meetings, booking theatre tickets, preparing information packs, booking rooms, restaurants and arranging any travel and hospitality required.
• Running though schedules for the day and ensuring the team are fully prepared for the day, including ensuring they have the scripts or books they need and reminding them to read/watch various material.
• Setting schedules and meetings for the team, both internal and external.
• Be the first point of contact for the Development team, ensuring that calls and emails are dealt with professionally, and messages passed on.
• Taking minutes in internal departmental meetings and ensuring that any tasks that arise are being properly actioned and followed-up.
• Reconciling the team’s business credit card statement and expenses.
• Assist in the preparation of presentations and pitches when necessary.
• General administrative duties including photocopying and binding scripts, copying DVD’s, screening phone calls, meeting and greeting visitors, arranging hospitality for meetings - including drinks and lunch orders, and organise couriers and cars as required by the department.

Development Administration Duties

• To be the central point of reference for script development within the DD team; providing administrative and editorial support on a day-to-day basis.
• Log and acknowledge all material received by the department via an effective database system.
• Ensure all material received is read and reported on by a member of the development team or in time, yourself.
• Ensure all submissions to DD are responded to within a reasonable timeframe.
• Update and maintain the department’s development slate. Maintain a log of all material submitted to broadcasters.
• Keep the development team informed of upcoming plays and festivals.
• Keep up to date with channel developments and taking notes at commissioning briefings.
• Highlight any recent film, tv, theatre news/reviews/general information that might be of interest and relevance to the Development team, including circulating any relevant industry news and information to the development team.
• Undertake availability checks for writers and book rights.
• General research.
• In time, you may be asked to provide varied editorial support for the team as requested; this could include script reports and synopses, script breakdowns, book reports, research packs, proof reading, formatting scripts and creating front pages. Full training will be given on this.

Knowledge & Skills:

Essential

• Ideally would have had some experience as an Assistant or proven administrative experience within a busy office environment.
• Proficient IT user – Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to work alone and as part of a team.
• Experience of using own initiative, working under pressure and to deadlines
• Have an enthusiastic attitude towards your work and the desire to provide excellent support to the department.
• A love of TV is expected, willingness to watch a wide range of content and be able to talk about the strengths and weaknesses of different programmes.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a TV, film, theatre or agenting environment would be very welcome.
• Some working knowledge of established and emerging talent in the Film & TV Industry would be very welcome.
• Wider interests including but not limited to areas such as theatre, literature, podcasts, comedy, gaming, social media and content creation, that can feed into the department, would be advantageous.
  
  

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full Time (9:30am – 6:00pm)

Deadline: 9th April 2023

If you apply for this role, your personal information will be used by Banijay UK for recruitment purposes and in accordance with our Recruitment Privacy Policy https://www.banijay.com/privacy-notice/

We are an inclusive and disability confident employer. We actively encourage applications from individuals from diverse and under-represented backgrounds and are committed to providing a creative and inspirational home for all people. To make sure we are inclusive and accessible to all, please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments or assistance either to help you with your application or whilst working with us.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-g3b3z9-18-218-199-14-42 in your application.